“We won our battles and earned the win”

10 December 2016

Stam proud of his players after win over Wednesday

"Last week, it didn’t go for us. We’ve lost before and bounced back with a good run – so that’s what we were hoping for today. We wanted a response and that’s the kind of response you’re asking for!" the Royals boss said after a 2-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

"Sheffield Wednesday have got a great team with quality players – but we have as well! And especially with it being a home game, we wanted to do well and get a result for the fans.

"We tried to play our own game, dominate possession - but in the first half they dropped in and made it very difficult for us. There wasn't a lot of space to play the ball through.

"We couldn’t create a lot of chances and we needed to be aware that they can be deadly on the counter attack. So we didn’t give that many chances away either.

"At half time we spoke about our movement and we wanted to do better. We scored a couple of goals – the first one with a bit of luck and that was enough to give the team a boost, give the players that confidence you need.

"We scored a great second goal through Roy, but they kept on pushing and they put another striker on the pitch so you know they’re going to be going a bit more direct. And suddenly you are playing a certain type of football that you really don’t want to play.

"But we’ve shown before we can play this type of game as well...there is a lot of power within the team, everybody wants to win their games, everybody wants to do well.

"At the end, we conceded that goal. And there were a lot of battles we needed to win and we’ve done well – compliments to the boys! They worked very hard for that win."

Roy Beerens' first needed a deflection to take it past Keiren Westwood, but his second was very coolly taken. "He's a creative player," Stam said. "He’s not the strongest of players physically compared to a lot of the other players in the Championship.

"But if he gets the ball in tight areas, he can create something and score a goal himself as well – that’s what he’s done today."

"As I said though, it's not about one player - the whole team needed to battle to get the points this afternoon and they did that very well."

This was our last home game before Christmas - however on Boxing Day we welcome Norwich City to Madejski Stadium. Nine wins, three draws and one defeat at home under Jaap Stam so far...don't miss the next one!